Dishwashing device



Mach 24, 1942. F, P, BLAIR 2,277,291

DISH'NASHING DEVICE Filed June l2, 1939 Patented Mar. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DlsnwAsnING DEVICE Frank P. Blair, chicago, n1.

ApplcationJune 12, 1939, Serial No. 278,695 (c1. 2mn-39) 3 Claims.

My invention relates in general to dish washing devices. It relates more in particular to a dish washing device adapted to deliver steam or water under pressure to be directed in a stream against the dishes during the Washing operation.

The objects and features of the invention will be brought out in Aconnection with the following description, taken with the accompanying drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment.`

In the drawing- Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the deviceshowing one Way in which it may be used, a cover illustrated in the gure being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is'a substantially full size vertical sectional view taken through the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional `view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

In accordance with the main features of my invention, I provide a relative-ly small, flash type of boiler, the coils of which are electrically heated, in combination with a control valve operable to deliver water alone through a delivery line or to deliver water through the boiler for complete conversion into steam and subsequent delivery through the same delivery line. Associated with the control mechanism is an electric switch designed to be in full-off position when the water is completely shut off, but adapted t deliver cur-V rent to the heating element at all on positions, as will be pointed out. The device is adapted to be used in a particular fashion to obtain the most suitable results, but the preferred manner of use will be pointed out after the detailed description which follows.

A base member i0 is surmounted by a shield Il housing a flash boiier, the base I0 having an interiorly threaded boss I3 for mounting on a hot water pipe I4. In general, the pipe I4 is adeouate for supporting the entire device, but separate mounting means, such as an auxiliary racket, may be Used if thought advisable.

Running transversely of the base I0 is a tapered port in which a valve member I6 is carried. This valve member is held in place by a packing nut Il which extends around an extending shank I8 t0 which a handle I9 ris pinned. Packng 2! is suitably inserted toprevent leak# age of water along the shank I8.

Running vertically at right angles to the port carrying the valve member I6 is a port 22 in line with the pipe I4. This port carries a valve 23 urged by spring 24 against a seat 26 provided near a restricted portion of the port 22. The valve 23 hasa rounded pin-like extension 2l the end of which is adapted to fall into a cam-like recess 28 on the exterior of the valve member I6. In Fig. 4, the parts are shown in off position, in which case the valve 23 is closed by 24. When the handle I9 is turned, however, the valve member I6 turns in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4, causing a cam surface 29 to depress the valve and allow water to pass from the pipe I4 in a direction toward the valve member I6. l

An annular recess 3| on theexterior of the valve member I6 communicates with a port 32 which in turn communicates with a larger port 33 which comprises the main inside portion of the valve member I 6. The larger port 33 communicates with ports 34 and 36, which, however, are offset longitudinally from the port 32. Thus, when the valve member I6 is turned, water is admitted past the valve 23 and, through the series of ports described, will reach both ports 34 and 36, and will continue to flow through ports 34 and 36 unless these ports are closed because of the positioning of the valve member I6. To explain the function of ports 34 and 36, the boiler arrangement and outlet line will first be described. I

Communicating with the large port occupied by the valve member I6 is a transverse port 31. The" exterior portion of the port ,3l is enlarged and 'threaded to receive a coupling member 33 for attachment of a hose 39 (Fig. 1). A copper tube 4i, wound to produce interior and exterior coil sections 43 and 44, respectively, has its ends running parallel for engagement by coupling nuts 46 and 4l, these coupling nuts being threaded in vertical openings provided` in the top surface of the base I0. cates with the port 3l and the other communi-- cates with a short port 48 of relativelysmall cross section. With this arrangement of ports, it is obvious that Water may be delivered through the port 34 directly to port 3'I and thence through coupling 38, or it may be delivered through port 36 and passageway 48. In one case, water is delivered directly to the hose 39, and in the other case, the water is delivered through the boiler and thence in the form of steam to the hose 39.

Between the coil sections 43 and 44, I place an electric heating element 49, leads 5I of which are shown running to binding posts 52 carried on a small bracket within the housing II. Cur-f rent is supplied to the heating element through One of these openings communia switch arrangement which will be subsequently described.

Attached to the inner end of valve member I6 is an extension 53 having a narrowed clutch portion 54 integral therewith. A packing nut 55 is provided with suitable packing for preventing leakage at the point where the member 54 leaves the base I0. Secured at the side is a switch 56, the leads 51 of which are adapted to lead to the binding posts 52 through suitable openings (not shown) in the housing II. The switch shaft 58 has its end shaped to cooperate with the end of shaft 54 whereby to produce a simply engaging clutch so that turning the handle I9 will result in turning the switch shaft 58. The switch 56 may be a conventional type of'off and on switch with a long contact so arranged that contact will be maintained through an arc of about 60 degrees or between the positions indicating water and steam in Fig. 1. Switches of this kind being conventional, I deem it unnecessary to show the working parts of the switch in detail.

The hose 39 terminates in a nozzle 59 having a'heat insulating handle 6I. The nozzle 59 is shaped preferably to restrict the flow of water or steam at its outlet, the discharge either being in the form of a round spray or preferably in the form of a fiat spray.

The construction and assembly of most of the parts are clear to the ordinary mechanic from the description .thereof and an inspection of the drawing. The ports are all arranged in such a manner that they may be easily produced by suitable tooling operations in a solid casting. Preferably, however, the base is produced with the main ports cast, requiring only that they be finished to proper dimensions.

As to the 4boiler arrangement, it will be noted that there are two -sections of coil, as described,

and the main element lies between them. This is for the purpose of making use of substantially all of the heat cn both sides of the generally cyliadrically shaped element. The heating elemeis finished in such a 'manner as to permit its insertion after the boiler coils have been shaped. In assembly, the tubes and heating element are assembled together, the entire boiler mounted on the base I0, and the housing II afterward ,placed over it. The leads I are left with sufficient slack so that assembly is facilitated. Before assembly, the leads 51 may be brought to the binding posts 52, although, if desired, the binding posts may be made available at the exterior of the housing for subsequent attachment. .These features I deem largely a matter of choice and not'particularly significant, so far as my present invention is concerned.

In using the boiler of my invention, dishes. as at 62, are-preferably stacked in a tray 63. A cover 64 is adapted to' set down over the tray 63 enclosing the entire tray and making a fairly tight connection at the bottom. The tray membercarries a section for silverware as at 56. At the`top of the tray, I provide a relatively small opening just large enough to pass the end of the nozzle 59.

When the dishes have been stacked in the tray and with the cover 64 removed, the handle I9 is turned to the Number 1 or water position of Fig. 1. port 34 in communication with the port or passageway 31, allowing water, preferably hot water, to pass to the nozzle 59. Even though one end of the tube comprising the boiler communicates with passageway 31, the water will not rise there- This opens the valve 13 and places the in because the port or passageway'48 is still closed, the port 36 not having attained a position in line with this port. At this time, however, the electric current is .delivered to the heating element and heat is being built up therein for the subsequent conversion of water into steam. The hot, water is sprayed by the nozzle over the dishes, and, because of its relatively high speed, most of the adhering food particles and the like will be removed. Spraying hot water on the dishes will also heat them so thzt subsequent application of steam will not cause them to crack.

When the dishes are reasonably as clean as can be expected from the use of hot water alone, that is, after the passage of a minute to two minutes in the usual case, the handle I9 is turned to the steam position and the dishes are. then sprayed with steam to remove grease and the like therefrom. In connection with the steam operation, it will be noticed that the passageway 48 is relatively small and is designed so that no more water will beadmitted than can be completely evaporated into steam by the boiler as designed. Accordingly, steam alone will be delivered at this setting of the handle I9. If it is thought desirable, the user may make an other application of hot waterfbut most times a second application of hot water to rinse the dishes is unnecessary. After the dishes are entirely clean, the cover 64. is placed over them and the nozzle inserted through the small opening at the top. Steam is then fed to the inside of the cover for a minute or two to thoroughly heat the dishes and sterilize them. This steam condenses partly on the dishes and partly near the bottom of the cover, and will not escape in such a way as to possibly cause burning. After the thorough steaming, the handle I9 is turned to the oi position, the nozzle set up in position, out of the way, and the cover 54 removed. Because of the relatively high temperature of the steam, the dishes will almost immediately dry and the dish washing operation has been completed.

I have explained my invention in detail in order that those skilled in the art may practice the same, but the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. In a dish washing device of the character described, a base member having a valve therein, a pair of ports in said base member, a tube having its ends in communication with said ports, a water inlet port delivering water to said valve, a discharge port, one of said pair of ports communicating with said outlet port, said valve having passageways and communicating ports therein, adapted to receive water from said inlet port a'nd deliver the same to said outlet port, or to one of said pair of ports, said valve adjustable to deliver water to neither said outlet port nor said port in communication with said tube, electric heating means associated with said tube, and a discharge nozzle connected to said outlet port whereby water may be directed through said valve directly to said outlet port, 0r through.

said tube for conversion to steam discharged through-said outlet port, said heating means comprising an electrical resistance and said valve, having three positions, including an off position, water discharge position and steam discharge position, being connected to an electric switch functioning to deliver electric current to said electrical resistance when the valve is at water discharge position and steam discharge position.

2. In a dish washing device of the character described, a base member having a valve opening running transversely thereof, a valve body rotatable in said valve opening, said base member having a pair of ports communicating with the valve opening, a tube having its ends connected to said pair of ports, one of said pairs of ports comprising an outlet port for delivery of Water or steam, said base member also having a water inlet port for delivering water to the valve, said valve body having a central longitudinal passageway therein, a radial water receivlng port in the valve body communicating with the longitudinal passageway, a radial port spaced longitudinally along the valve body from the water'receiving port and positioned to place the outlet port in communication with the longitudinal passageway when the valve body is rotated one position, and a second radial port spaced when the valve is advanced to a'second ing a'valve seat therein, a valve in said port engaging said seat, spring means holding said valve resiliently against said seat, a pin-like extension from said valve extending into contact with said first-mentioned valvebody, and cam means on said valve body for depressing said extension and valve and thereby admitting water to the valve body when said valve body is at said rst and second positions.

FRANK P. BLAIR. 

